Sunday, December 22, 2013

A presentation I made for School Leaders in the Making ProgramChallenge Title: 21st Century Multimodal Learning

Purpose: Today’s students are the 21st century students whose lifetime experiences are enriched with using digital technologies. They need to develop 21st century skills to become the valued skilled workers, entrepreneurs, innovators and global citizens of tomorrow
The Department is working to meet the needs of the 21st century student through the provision of a rigorous curriculum, technologies of today and expert teachers inspiring learning with passion and purpose
This project is purposed to;
* introduce innovative technologies into schools,
* change teaching practices,
* align with the Australian Curriculum, and
* inspire learning.

Benefits: The benefits to teachers and students should;
* ensure that the selected technologies will meet the demands of the curriculum,
* employ technologies which are accessible in daily life, and
* gain digital fluency skills.

Monday, December 16, 2013

I painted the Poowong series in the 1980's. The paintings have been destroyed but the photo's survive. The theme was based on organic and mental structures, complex problems and simple solutions. Poowong is a small town in SE Gippsland Victoria. Land of dairy cattle and potatoes.

Schools
are the engine house of the future however there is disconnect between workplace
expectations, and students’ in-school and out-of-school learning experiences. This
discussion is about ‘cultures of learning’ and engaging 21st Century
students through innovative programs.

Our schools are the institutions that step Australia
into the future. Curriculum expectations, national assessment and professional
standards have changed. Society has moved from enterprise networks of PCs to a
mobile world connected through social and personal cloud services. There is a
convergence of entertainment, media, knowledge and information. New workforce
skills are becoming essential. Today’s and tomorrow’s students are entering a
life of work that demands significantly more technical skills than previously required.
The steps forward are through creativity and innovation. Teachers, school and
department leaders need to commit to innovative learning programs that employ
21st century technologies and are connected with contemporary society.

Students’ in-school and out-of-school ICT
experiences are polarising and innovative learning programs can face multiple
obstacles and gatekeepers. A learner-centred approach is required. An innovative
and creative ‘culture of learning’ needs to be the driver and definer of classroom
activity. This presentation discusses digital literacy proficiency, 21st
century skills, and the value of ingenuity, innovation and creativity expressed
through multimodal technologies.

Bibliography

John Bennett started his career in Victoria
as an exhibiting artist. On moving to the Northern Territory John focused his
energy on the integration of ICT within the classroom.Over the past decade John has been employed
as an Assistant Principal, Director of ‘Teaching and Learning with ICT’, and
Senior Program Manager of multiple systems level, cross jurisdictional and in-school
projects. John is currently the eLearning Strategic Consultant of the Northern
Territory Department of Education. His studio arts background influences his
administration processes.